Novell draws on community for SUSE 10

By Alun Williams

Posted on 8 Sep 2005 at 17:00

Novell's user-friendly Linux distro is about to be upgraded to version 10, with an emphasis on easing migration from Windows.

To be precise, SUSE Linux 10.0 is created by the openSUSE project, which is an initiative sponsored by Novell, one that is intended to generally promote the use of Linux.

To be made available in October, desktop features include the latest version of the Windows-compatible OpenOffice.org 2.0 office suite, email and instant messaging clients, graphics creation tools and a number of security tools, such as spam blockers, anti-virus software and an integrated firewall. There's also the Beagle desktop search engine and Amarok with MP3 support out of the box.

'The new features and numerous usability improvements in SUSE Linux 10.0 will make it easier than ever for users to deploy and use Linux successfully,' said David Patrick, Novell's VP of open source platforms and services. 'For the first time, we have been receiving input from the openSUSE community throughout the SUSE Linux beta cycle and that feedback is making a real difference in the product. The Linux community is helping us extend the usability of the SUSE Linux distribution, and we can't wait to release SUSE Linux 10.0.'

Available for i386, x86_64 and PowerPC architectures, it is built around version 2.6.13 of the the Linux kernel.

SUSE Linux 10.0 will have a suggested retail price of 59 Euros and the retail version comes with user manuals and 90 days of installation support.

A list of resellers and distributors can be found on the Novell website. More information on the openSUSE project can be found at www.opensuse.org.

Back in April Novell boxed an iPod-friendly SUSE 9.3, having worked with IBM to improve the speed of Linux apps for the OS - Novell and IBM speed up Linux apps for SUSE.